Valentine Penguin

      This precious image from Jan's Digi Stamps, called "Puttin' on the Ritz," has been reversed for this card.  It's a pre-colored image so putting the card together was quicker than usual.  The image was printed, then cut with an Unbranded die.  I added a scrap of red CS behind the die cut and trimmed it to fit the rounded corners.

     I printed and fussy cut the sentiment (also part of the set), inked the edges with neon ProMarker to make it stand out, then added it to the image piece.  I used baker's twine to enhance the red, burlap ribbon, wrapping two pieces on each side of the ribbon.  The Petaloo flower covers the spot where the ribbon and twine ends overlapped.  

     

     Valentine's Day is getting closer by the minute so if you haven't started on your cards yet, let this be an inspiration.  Remember, you can get cards done very quickly with pre-colored images, especially if you do CAS cards (which this one isn't!)  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Naughty or Nice?

     OK, I know these are supposed to be innocent milk maids, as in "8 Maids a'Milking," but come on -- their "We're Partying!" smiles tell me that's more likely to be vodka than milk in their glasses!   Hence, the sentiment "It's all fun and games till Santa checks the naughty list!"  Both the image and the sentiment are from Beccy's Place and I think they work perfectly for the "N" day of the alphabet challenges.  I leave it totally up to you to decide if that stands for Naughty or Nice.

     I colored with a combination of ProMarkers and Copics (tending toward the Neon reds), then cut the image with a square die from Spellbinders.  I had to adjust the die and cut twice to make it a rectangle because I wanted it slightly more rectangle than square to accommodate the shape of the image.

     I mounted that onto black CS for the mat.   I found the black and red dp in my stash of scraps and put it on top of some burgundy CS I had chosen for the card front.  The kraft ribbon with the snowflakes seemed to work with the color of the cow.  I made a fan-fold bow and wrapped it with Narrow linen ribbon.

     Challenges:
Beccy's Place
Color Inspiration Mon.
Crafting from the Heart
Crafty Addicts
Digi Choosday
Merry Monday
Outlawz Greetings
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
TTCRD

     Well, I'm later getting this posted than normal but my day got away from me from the very moment I got out of bed this morning.  Maybe tomorrow will be less frantic.  :-D  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie

Christmas Elves

     These darling elves (they may have been fairies but they're elves now!) are from Emerald Faeries and I used them for a Christmas card.  I love the idea that they are playing with winter Cardinals while they wait for Santa to show up with the list of tasks for the day.

     The elves are colored with my newest neon markers from ProMarkers (I think  I'm going to love those!) and I did my best to make the colors match the dp I planned to use.  I know the colors are more of a "summer bright" than a "Christmas red" but I love the way it looks.

     The scalloped border cuts were done with a die from Cheery Lynn, and the trees are also from a Cheery Lynn die.  Both the white ribbon and the red ribbon for the bow were in my stash.  The Cardinals are die cuts and I think they are from Memory Box but could be Die-namics.  I loaned the die to a friend so can't check it right now.

     I added sparkle to the wings of the elves and to the white ribbon but it just doesn't show up well in the photo.

     Challenges:
A&T Emerald Faeries
Allsorts
Cheery Lynn
Christmas at Sweet Stampin'
Christmas Cards All Year Round
Crafting by Designs
Crafting with Friends
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas
Crimbo Crackers
Fab 'n' Funky
I {heart} ProMarkers
MFP Stamps
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Sweet Stampin'


     My Christmas stash is growing and I feel so relieved.  By mid-June, I was thinking seriously that I'd never get enough cards done this year.  Now the anxiety is over.  Not that I don't have lots more to do, but I always get really motivated during the fall months so I'm sure it'll be OK.  1 or 2 each week should suffice.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

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